asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him,
he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers
used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he
hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I
take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than
whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St.
Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and if God so
permits, I have selected Clairvaux." When asked also about the time, [he
named in reply] the festival of all the dead.[823] If it is regarded as
a mere wish, it was fulfilled, if as a prophecy, not _a jot passed_ from
it.[824] _As we have heard so have we seen_[825] alike concerning place
and day. Let us relate briefly in what order and by what occasion it
came to pass. Malachy took it amiss that Ireland was still without a
pall; for he was zealous for the sacraments, and would not that his
nation should be wholly deprived of any one of them.[826] And
remembering that it had been promised to him by Pope Innocent,[827] he
was the more sad that while he was still alive it had not been sent for.
And taking advantage of the fact that Pope Eugenius[828] held the chief
rule and was reported to have gone at that time to France,[829] he
rejoiced that he had found opportunity for claiming it. He took for
granted that, the Pope being such a man as he was, and having been
promoted from such a religious profession--and the more because he had
been a special son of his own Clairvaux--he need not fear that he should
have any difficulty with him. Therefore the bishops were summoned; a
council assembled.[830] Matters which were of immediate importance at
the time were discussed for three days, and on the fourth the scheme of
obtaining the pall was broached. Assent was given, but on condition that
it should be obtained by another. However, since the journey was a
comparatively short one, and on that account the pilgrimage seemed more
easy to be endured, none presumed to oppose his counsel and will. And
when the council was dissolved Malachy started on his way.[831] Such
brothers as had come together followed him to the shore; but not many,
for he doubtless restrained them. One of them, Catholicus by name, with
tearful voice and face, said to him, "Alas! you are going away; and in
how great, almost daily, trouble you leave me you are not ignorant, and
yet you do not, of your pit